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Microgrid Market Boom on the Way as Europe and Asia Catch Up to U.S.

The global microgrid market is set for exceptional growth in the coming years, as Europe and Asia mimic the growth that has seen the U.S. dominate the

Apr 01, 2013

The global microgrid market is set for exceptional growth in the coming years, as Europe and Asia mimic the growth that has seen the U.S. dominate the industry, states the latest report from research and consulting firm GlobalData.

According to the “Microgrid in Smart Grid — Market Size, Key Issues, Regulations and Outlook to 2020” report, the global microgrid industry is anticipated to reach a value of US$18.9 billion in 2020, up from a 2012 value of $5.3 billion, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate of 17.2%.

Microgrids are integrated networks of power delivery systems consisting of a power generating system, storage systems, power electronics and load. They help to improve power quality, reliability, reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and provide economic benefits to consumers and grid operators.

The market for microgrid technologies in Europe is currently in the introductory stage, but it is expected to expand rapidly in the near future as the region updates an aging electricity infrastructure and integrates a higher share of renewable energy generation. From a 2012 value of $710 million, European industry revenue is expected to grow exponentially during the forecast period, hitting $5.3 billion by 2020.

GlobalData believes that the Asia-Pacific microgrid industry will be driven primarily by the need to increase electrification in remote locations across countries including China, India and Malaysia. Industry revenue in the region is forecast to reach $5.7 billion by the end of the decade, from $600 million in 2012, with China expected to maintain its market share of almost 40% over the eight-year period.

The U.S. — which dominated the global microgrids market last year with 68% share — will display less impressive sector growth, states the report, but is still forecast to reach revenue of $5.7 billion by 2020 from $3.6 billion in 2012.